Two Catholic churches in Halifax are permanently closing their doors
Two prominent Catholic churches in Halifax are permanently closing their doors.
Archbishop Brian Joseph Dunn made the decision to close Saint Theresa's Church on North Street and Saint Patrick's Church on Brunswick Street following recommendations from the parish leadership of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, according to a Monday news release from Aurea Sadi, a spokesperson for Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth.
Sadi says finances, attendance, pastoral capacity, proximity to other churches, as well as the structural concerns of the buildings were all factors that led to the recommendations to close.
"In January 2024 the parish leadership began a process of consultation and prayer with parishioners to determine the future of the parish’s resources and their ability to best serve their communities," said Sadi in an email to CTV News Wednesday. "The recommendation to close Saint Patrick and Saint Theresa church buildings came as a result of this consultation process."
The statement from the archdiocese says letters from Dunn announcing the closures were read and distributed to the parish community at all masses over the weekend.
In the letters, the archbishop acknowledged the sadness these closures cause and "seeks to work with the parish leadership to focus on how to pastorally care for those immediately affected."
As far as when the churches will permanently close, the statement says Dunn will consult with the parish leadership to determine the appropriate time and place for final masses.
Saint Theresa Church has been temporarily closed since October 2023 due to high levels of mold inside the building.
"Since that time a variety of environmental and structural assessments have been done and found further structural issues," said Sadi.
The process of closing
The Code of Canon Law, the internal laws that govern the Catholic Church, states the bishop can close a church if there is grave cause.
However, he can only do so after consulting with those who may be affected.
Even though Saint Patrick's Church has heritage status, the statement says there are no specific steps that need to be taken to close its doors. However, if the property is sold, the buyer would need to manage the heritage regulations associated with the property.
Future of the buildings
The statement from the archdiocese says the future of the church buildings has yet to be determined.
"Parish leadership with the community and Archbishop Dunn will further discern and discuss the options that offer the most benefit for the parish," read the statement.
According to the archdiocese, a variety of options will be explored, including the possibility of selling one or both buildings. It adds there currently no inquiries about the sale of the property, and nothing is currently for sale.
If the buildings end up being sold, the proceeds would go to the parish of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, “less the normal diocesan assessment.”
Those with close connections to both churches say they're upset the decision to permanently close had to be made.
"As a fifth generation's person, thinking that I might be the last one, that’s really sad," said historian Blair Beed. “They’ve been trying to close this church for over 20-years and we’ve been trying to keep it open."
Beed says Saint Patrick's Church isn't only a place of worship, but a piece of history with many stories to tell.
“Nothing was lost in the Halifax explosion. The windows were replaced with duplicates of what had been there blown out in the explosion and they’re from Bavaria," he said.
"Inside is a bell that was cast in Ireland as a little project to help them over the potato famine to give them some work. There’s so many little ingredients inside, including the signatures of people in the tower from 1883 who just want to record the weather or that they rang the bell. There’s so much historical content in the building that the insurance company says they couldn’t replace it for its real value because no one would be able to create it again.”
Beed adds the price to do repairs would cost millions of dollars – money the church just doesn't have.
"Heritage doesn’t get a good riding in Halifax so having a heritage church makes it all that more difficult. I wish I could roll it to Quebec where the government and Quebec give me 80 per cent of the cost of restoration because of its cultural built heritage. We don’t have that kind of respect here.”
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6972157.1721587842!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race, endorses Kamala Harris to be Democratic nominee
U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for re-election after doubts were raised about his fitness for office. Soon after, he endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to take his place in the November election.
Justin Trudeau reacts to Joe Biden announcing he won't run for re-election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the news that U.S. President Joe Biden won’t run for re-election Sunday, calling Biden a 'true friend.'
Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might work
With U.S. President Joe Biden ending his re-election bid and endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year.
The pilot who died in crash after releasing skydivers near Niagara Falls has been identified
NEW YORK (AP) — Officials on Sunday released the name of a pilot who died in a skydiving flight after her passengers jumped from the aircraft near the Niagara Falls.
Woman found dead in the water near Sunset Beach: Vancouver police
Investigators were at Vancouver’s Sunset Beach after a woman’s body was found in the water Sunday morning, according to authorities.
Ottawa man waiting nearly a year for car to be fixed at Acura dealership
An Ottawa man says he’s been waiting nearly a year for his car to be repaired after it was damaged during a storm in August.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
Joy in Newfoundland after 'Lucky 7' fishers survive harrowing days lost at sea
There was a powerful word being repeated in the joyful Newfoundland community of New-Wes-Valley on Sunday: 'Miracle.'
A Florida woman was killed 24 years ago. DNA evidence just helped police make an arrest in the cold case
A Florida woman’s brutal killing nearly 25 years ago may finally be solved after authorities arrested the suspect this week, according to the Sanford Police Department.